Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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384. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection how An Post will rectify deductions made in errors to the extra cost-of-living Department of Social Protection payment of €200 for some recipients; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21083/23]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Government is acutely aware of the effect that high energy prices and the cost of living are having on families, businesses and the most vulnerable.

In addition to the substantial package of supports provided in Budget 2023, earlier this year the Government announced a €470 million package of measures to help social protection recipients including families, pensioners, carers and people with disabilities.

The Spring Cost of Living Bonus is one of the range of measures put in place. It is one lump sum payment of €200 for each eligible person in receipt of a primary payment in their own right. The €200 lump sum payment was paid week commencing 24/4/2023 to over 1.2 million people in receipt of long-term social welfare payments at a cost of approximately €250 million.

In a small number of cases An Post Household Budgeting deductions were applied to the bonus payment, in addition to being applied to a person’s normal weekly payment as requested by the individual.

My Department is working with An Post, the local authorities and accommodation providers to resolve the issue and to refund the additional rent deduction to people affected by the end of May.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.